I was hoping to get some feedback on how search committee members view applicants with K awards that have recently been funded - say within the last few months. Would there be an expectation for an applicant to address why they are on the job market shortly after receiving one? Thanks in advance for your thoughts - hoping to get thoughts from both R1 and SLAC folks.

I don't know, but congratulations. My gut would say they would view them very favorably, especially if the money can be ported over even this early in the award. I don't know the exact rules of the K award but my understanding is that you get to take the money with you to your new position, right?

For a SLAC I think it might matter less but even they like money and they obviously like smart, accomplished people who are good enough at research to earn competitive grants. You just have to remember to justify to them why you'd want to work at a SLAC.